Wetgal82

Most doctors really piss me off too, although my primary care doctor really does care about her patients as people, so I try to approach her differently. I have to spend so much time seeing doctors due to numerous medical problems that I discovered what you said about doctors being people just like any other a long time ago. I have actually learned to appreciate that, and actually have a quite friendly relationship with my primary care doctor. She jokes with me, and I joke with her, kinda lightens up an otherwise awkward situation.

I have a back problem AND cerebral palsy, so I go to physical therapy too. PTs are just like any other medical professionals. They see many people wearing diapers. It has never been an issue with me.... even on the occasions that I have peed heavily during a PT session. We just stop, I change, and move on. Not a big deal. Don't compromise your confidence against an accident (wearing a diaper) just because the PT is female. Male or female, they are healthcare professionals, and see it everyday. They will not think any less of you because you wear a diaper, trust me.

My mother means the world to me, and I have to be around her a lot due to my cerebral palsy. While I don't live with her, I am certainly around her most everyday. She understands that I have a problem controlling my bodily functions, but SHE has a problem with the fact that I don't even use the toilet. I'll admit, I used to try occasionally until my urologist and primary care doctor started discussing management with diapers instead of further treatment. I have medical problems that don't allow me to take the OAB meds or meds for my stomach issues (they both lower my BP more than it naturally is low) so they figure if I manage it with diapers I can at least live my life. I think that's why there's still a part of me that feels a bit of guilt for just using my diapers. I have tried to explain to my mom that the I don't care, the doctors don't care, so why should she care? And can't get much further with that topic of discussion, so whatever. It's not like I try to hide when I've gone to the bathroom, and sometimes that's not possible with the occasional flood, but there's still a part of me that wishes my mom would be more accepting.

I know that when doctors try to "sugar coat," in an attempt to be politically correct, it gets me more red-faced than discussing them using the name diapers. I don't know why, but I can discuss them with friends and others more openly than I can with doctors, and it should be the opposite. Perhaps because a lot of doctors give off these vibes of being more uncomfortable with the discussion than I am, so it ends up making me increasingly uncomfortable?

The last appointment I had with my urologist, the PA called them "protective diapers." She was basically asking me if my protection was adequate, or if I needed to see the nurse to discuss other options. My PCP gets all red faced when she calls them diapers...and I don't know why. That's what they are. Once, when I went to my PCP for a diaper rash, she didn't even like saying diaper before rash. I am guessing she just doesn't have too many incontinent patients.....At a urologist's office, that's what they do...so they're more used to discussing diapers.

In my case, I feel when I go. I just can't stop it. The issue that leads to my incontinence mainly is that I have reduced sensation for a full bladder. I don't know if it's because I've been in diapers all the time for 5 1/2 years, but my feeling is that that might have something to do with it. I may feel like there's only a little bit of urine in my bladder, and then end up flooding my diaper. Bowel wise (I'm also bowel incontinent) I just get strong, sudden urges, and don't always have time to use the toilet.

I think more public places should have family style restrooms (single bathrooms where there is plenty of room to change) Because I hate trying to change my diaper in a standard bathroom stall. Most stalls, even the handicapped accessible ones are too little for me to be sure my diaper is in place securely. I am also bowel incontinent, and sometimes I have to change soiled diapers in public too. That is the thing that is really hard. Any tips that people have found help when changing a soiled diaper in a public bathroom?

I have read here for awhile. I belong to several purely medical incontinence forums, and people there (a lot of them) tend to act like being incontinent is the worst thing in the world. Here, although most folks would certainly prefer to have normal bowel/bladder functions (I am one of these people,) you all have seemed, like me to embrace your need for diapers, and think of the positive side of things. I am glad I joined, and thanks so much for the welcome.

I would love to have normal bladder and bowel control, but sort of as a coping mechanism of sorts (since I will never have normal control again) I really don't mind diapers. I go to the bathroom so much that it is kinda nice not to be a slave to the bathroom. A lot of the reason I wear is because before I did, the chance of having accidents was so anxiety provoking for me that I was not able to lead a normal life. Now, if I suddenly have to go, it is very nice to be able to go without having to rush to the toilet. I have only a minute or so before I go, whether I am near a bathroom or not, so not having to hold it means I am much more comfortable. I hate the occasional leaks we all get, but it is still better than completely soaking my pants...because I would if I wasn't wearing a diaper. I don't think I would give diapers up, no. I just would like to be able to take it off without fear of pee running down my leg or soiling myself. If this makes sense, being back in diapers gives me a sense of security.

Hi everyone, I am Kelly, 27 years old. I have cerebral palsy that results in a neurogenic bladder. I have stress and urge urinary incontinence, as well as fecal urgency and occasional fecal incontinence. I am in diapers all the time. At first, it bugged me. I have not always been incontinent. I was dry pretty much since potty training at age 5. (I still wet at night until then.) Then, when I was 19, I woke up one morning in a bed that was completely soaked. The urologists diagnosed me with a neurogenic bladder. I have tried all the meds, etc. with little success. So, they are advising that I manage soley with diapers. That's fine by me, I don't really mind diapers anymore. I actually like them. It is so nice to just be able to pee when the urge hits, to avoid the painful bladder spasms and anxiety of "not making it." I'll admit...I am lazy about using the toilet. I very rarely do. I am wearing a diaper after all...why bother? If I was resigned to trying harder, I would probably be in the bathroom all day. I have to pee about every 10-15 minutes. It's ridiculous to even try with that, in my opinion. I would love to talk to others who are genuinely incontinent, have some control of functions, but chose to just use diapers, not really trying to go on the toilet. I'd be interested to see just how many people there are like me out there. Kelly